RWANDA: FIGHTING MAY BE PROLONGED

Created: 10/12/1990

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

DATE;2

RWANDA: Fighting Mi) Be Prolonged

Fighting continues in lhe northeast between invading Tutsi exiles and the Rwandan Army md iu Zainan allies. I

>me rebels have been pushed bu.uWhe terrain favors guerrilla tactics,ame rebel force remain* ai Oabiro. Unconfirmed press reports say the rebels are bc;ng supplied and reinforced from Uganda despite Kampala's efforts to seal the border. Ugandan President Museveni and the French Government have calledegional peace conference io negotiate an end to the conflict Kigali has detaineduspected rebel sympathizers, and press reports daim the Rwandan military has aiucked Tutsi villages in the Mutara region and conducted summary executions. Rwanda's mam overland supply route is still closed, causing shortages of food and fuel in the capital, and the European expatriates has curtailed medical and other services.

>me of the rebelmay number as many at ably have spiii into small guerrilla bands and may have infiltrated the local populace, increasing the likelihood of prolonged fighting and eihnic reprisals that might spiU over into neighboring aiates. President Habyarimana will have difficuliy balancing outside pressureettlement with the resistance of his Hutu supporters to an accommodation of Tutsi interests. Kigali is quiet, and there is no direct threat to the approximately HQ US citizens there, but guerrilla activities could endanger civilians.1